The Journal's sources flagged a possible net neutrality requirement as one that could cause Comcast to abandon the TWC deal. The FCC issued new net neutrality rules for Internet providers this year; a merger condition could require Comcast to follow the rules even if they are later blocked in court.

Comcast agreed to a similar condition based on an earlier version of net neutrality rules when it bought NBCUniversal in 2011. However, the new rules are stricter than the previous ones and include a reclassification of broadband as a common carrier service, which brings heavier regulation than broadband's previous classification as an information service.